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Desko, Donahue Heading to Camillus HOF

from press release

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University head lacrosse
coach John Desko and assistant coach Kevin Donahue have been
friends, teammates and co-workers for more than 40 years. From
their playing days at West Genesee High School to their time
together on the SU sideline, the two have been inseparable. That's
why it's fitting that Desko and Donahue will be inducted together
into the West Genesee/Town of Camillus Sports Hall of Fame on
Saturday, Oct. 22.

Desko and Donahue join Anne Schmutzler, Jim Ouderkirk, George
Mezey, Steve Beville and the 2001 West Genesee girls varsity
lacrosse team as members of this year's class, which will be
honored at McNamara's in Camillus at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The
ceremony is free and open to the public.

It was a strange twist of fate that landed Desko in the 2011
class. He was originally scheduled for enshrinement in the spring
of 2010, but due to an SU road lacrosse game, he was unable to
attend the ceremony. His induction was postponed until this fall,
allowing him to go in with his longtime friend.

Desko and Donahue were lacrosse teammates at West Genesee High
School and led the Wildcats to three consecutive Section III
championships (1973-75). Desko was also a member of the football
team and the basketball team's leading scorer as a senior in
1975.

Following their scholastic careers, the two played lacrosse
together for four seasons at Syracuse (1976-79). They were
co-captains for the Orange in 1978 and 1979 and helped the team
reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time as seniors. Donahue
was a three-time All-American midfielder and in 1979 became
legendary head coach Roy Simmons Jr.'s first first-time
All-American. Desko also earned national recognition in 1979,
earning honorable mention All-America honors for his work on
defense.

The next season, Desko joined Simmons' staff as an assistant
coach, a position he held from 1980-98. He was promoted to head
coach in 1999 and has amassed a 162-46 (.779) record in 13 years at
the Orange helm. Desko leads all active Division I lacrosse coaches
in winning percentage and has won five NCAA titles.

Donahue joined Desko on the SU coaching staff in 1988. The
winner of the 2001 Jay Gallagher Award as the top assistant coach
in Division I lacrosse, Donahue's overseen virtually every position
group during the course of his career. Currently, Donahue mentors
the Orange goalies, faceoff specialists and runs the team's
man-down unit, a group that led the nation in 2011 in man-down
defense efficiency (81.7 pct.).

Together, Desko and Donahue have served together for 23 years on
the Orange coaching staff and have been together for 10 of the
program's 11 NCAA championships.

Established in 2008, the Camillus/West Genesee Sports Hall of
Fame was formed to recognize people who have made a significant
impact in the areas of sports and recreation. Plaques for the
inductees are displayed in the Camillus Municipal Building.